CVW caught up with Steve Catterall, founder of S Catterall Ltd, Wigan-based specialists in vehicle workshop installations.
Q. Welcome to CVW – can you give our readers the background story to S Catterall?
Steve Catterall (SC): I’ve been in the vehicle industry for over 40 years in many automotive sectors. I originally started in the refinishing industry and in 1988 began working for myself, designing and installing body shop equipment and services. This led me into consultation roles for several independent and national accident repair companies.
The idea of S Catterall began 12 years ago following a role as Specialist Equipment Installation Project Manager for a major bus company and Transport for London’s 2012 Olympic preparation. Realising there was a gap in the market for consultancy in design and equipment fit outs in the commercial vehicle sector, and the installation engineers required, I employed a team of experienced pipe fitters specialising in compressed air and lubrication installations.
After a difficult few years of trying to make connections in the commercial/ fleet vehicle world, I am pleased to say we are now preferred supplier and consultants for some highly reputable commercial and bus vehicle manufacturers. We are a small family-run business that pride’s ourselves on the ethos of teamwork, high quality services and strong business relationships.
Q. Can you tell our readers about some of the services the company provides?
SC: We really do cover everything from the initial design of a ‘new build’ commercial vehicle workshop to full completion of workshop installation and commissioning mechanical and electrical packages – really, the full turnkey service. We supply and install workshop equipment, oil-monitoring systems and are currently extremely busy with ADR/Pet Reg. We also do bay refurbishments, installation of gas detection systems for CNG and LNG powered vehicles, new builds, and conversions.
Our specialist services are installations of compressed air, oil lubrication and exhaust extraction systems.
Q. What work goes into a workshop installation?
SC: Each installation is tailor-made and different from the next. At the beginning of any project, we work closely with clients to understand their vision, needs and budget to ensure that our knowledge is underpinning the best possible working solutions to workshop design. If the planning is clear and correct, the installation should follow relatively easily.
Q. What after-sales support do you offer?
SC: We offer annual servicing contracts on all equipment and systems that we supply and install and are always on hand for emergency call outs. We pride ourselves on a fast and efficient service to make sure all issues and call outs are rectified in a timely manner.
Q. Pandemic, supply shortages and issues with availability have all hit the headlines. How have you fared?
SC: Unbelievably, we managed to work throughout the whole pandemic and are busier that we have ever been, with increased turnover year-on-year. But that doesn’t mean it hasn’t been difficult. Our main priority for the business was to keep all our staff in jobs and the business secure, financially, throughout and we are very grateful we have managed to do this.
Materials have not been too difficult to source, but we have been impacted by longer lead and delivery times due to the fuel shortage and increases in costs. Steel costs are a big problem now but in the big picture, we feel lucky to be in the position we are in.
Q. If you could sum-up the company in one sentence, what would it be?
SC: We excel in strong working relationships with clients always offering the highest of quality and standards with reliability and value for money.
